A first of its kind event for Farmington, the Community Yard Sale hosted at Farmington Elementary School on Saturday, April 28 brought in shoppers from a wide area. Several vendors – who paid a fee to set up shop for the day – brought in a variety of wares, from old record albums to specialty items, clothing to baked goods, for shoppers to peruse and purchase.
Hosted by the Farmington Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Club, the goal was to raise some money to help pay for field trips and school activities.
Coordinating the event was the mother-daughter team of Patty and Michelle Parrish.
“We were just trying to think of a way to bring people from the greater Escalon area out here, come and get to know us,” Michelle said, adding that a spring yard sale seemed like a good way to encourage locals to take the short drive up Escalon-Bellota Road.
The fee the vendors paid for space for the day directly benefitted the PTC, with the sellers then able to keep all the profits from their sales.
“We sold about 10 tables,” Michelle added of vendors signing up. “We were very pleased.”
Members of the PTC also had a small snack bar, with coffee, popcorn and other assorted treats. A gardening raffle basket was available, with proceeds benefiting the PTC. Starbucks donated the coffee for the snack bar area.
“We’re going to try and do this as an annual event,” Patty noted.
Stockton resident Mark Ramirez was headed up to Sonora, taking his daughter for a drive, and they stopped in to check out the market. Madylinn, 4, found a succulent that had to be purchased, her dad said.
Members of the Linden Garden Club also were on hand, selling tomato plants, assorted seedlings and other goodies, with Pam Fish and Kathy Elmer manning the table.
Setting up shop in the parking lot area was Michelle Beach of Farmington.
“I just brought all my grandpa’s antiques,” she explained of hauling in a trailer to display the wares. “I’m going to donate all my proceeds to the PTC ... I have four kids in this school now, three at El Portal.”
A chilly start to the morning gave way to sunny skies and a nice breeze, perfect weather for outdoor shopping, said organizers.
